David Mehler with his 2 best students

David Mehler founded the U.S. Chess Center in 1991. Prior to creating the U.S. Chess Center, Mr. Mehler was a practicing trial lawyer. Before that, he taught high school in California.

His success in teaching young people to play chess has been considerable. Many of his students have become masters. Several have won national titles, including 1992 Junior High School Champion, 1991 Junior Invitational Champion, 1990 winner of the Denker Tournament of Champions and 1989 Junior Invitational Champion.

Locally, various students of his have won state championship titles (both individual and team) in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia from the 1980s on into the 21st century.

Mehler is most impressed with some of his students who no longer play chess. Many of his students came from disadvantaged urban backgrounds and used chess as the vehicle to break out of a cycle of poverty. Those who are now in college, or working at jobs that do not permit them enough time to pursue chess are his greatest successes. You can contact Mr. Mehler via e-mail with this link.